Hi all,
I'm due to start on the 16th September but have a few question...
- Are we to use our own laptops for the 2 weeks of home elearning?
- Obviously little kit is required as a signaller, but do we get anything when starting IST? Phone, laptop ect.
- Is uniform provided or is it pretty much casual?
- What times do classes at IST run from/too?
Anything else I should know to put my mind at ease would be much appreciated. Raring to go!
Firstly well done getting through the recruitment process and getting a start date .
-As others have said if you have one make use of your own laptop for e-learning . If not your LOM when you meet them might be able to organise one for you . Don't expect to be able to login to start the e learning for a few days after you start . You will have to visit your LOM at a NWR site to set up your different IT system accounts . But also the 2 weeks introduction to signalling e-learning didn't actually take 2 weeks . Try and take as much advantage of that easy two weeks because once you start IST it gets tough pretty quickly . If you have not already try and get familliar with the phonetic alphabet as you will be using it every day as a signaller . Also try and arrange some box visits during this time if you can to get a feel for the job and speak to some people actually doing it .
-I was given a laptop by the "training school" when I started IST . But only after I had done the 2 weeks e-learning . There will also be notepads , paper , pens , other general stationary provided . Only thing I really provided myself was flash cards and highlighters
-When at IST you just wear your own clothes , I think the contract says something about smart casual attire but most of us just wore jeans and t shirts . In my area they generally aren't bothered if you wear uniform or not when doing the job . I tend to wear the uniform T shirts / Sweatshirt or a fleece just because it saves me wearing my own clothes . I don't know anybody that has requested or wears the trousers though . I imagine your LOM will want to wait until you start training in the box before ordering uniform . Depending on access to the box you might need a Hi Viz as well if you go on or near the line to access your box .
-Class times are generally from 09:00-16:00 M-Thur then finished at 12:00 on friday for people travelling home . Times might vary slightly depending on your trainer . Some days we finished earlier if we had been covering quite a lot and it was clear people were starting to switch off . But be aware the course also requires you to put a lot of time in both practicing on the sim outside of class and revising for the exams . So for example if you are not travelling far to get home on the friday afternoon you might want to put a few hours in on the sim or with some of your group to revise . Likewise most evenings you will be doing some revision with the rest of your group in the hotel .
